The SS Tarpon was one of the unfortunate steamships in Florida’s maritime history.

For over three decades SS Tarpon, built in the late Nineteenth Century, never missed its weekly trips hauling cargo and passengers along the gulf coast, but on August 30, 1937 the overloaded vessel encountered rough seas and gale force winds that put an end to the streak of good fortune.

Attempts by the 81-year-old captain to lighten the heavy-laden freighter were in vain, and the ship ultimately succumbed to the sea less than 8 nautical miles from the shores of Panama City. All cargo and 18 lives were lost.

Today SS Tarpon is the deepest shipwreck in the Florida underwater archaeological preserve. This 160 ft long sunken vessel has disintegrated over the years and much of it lies in pieces. But, the ships boilers, hull and deck plating, main engines, anchor chain and windlass still remain.

Written, narrated, and produced by the University of West Florida, the Florida Public Archaeology Network and WUWF Public Media.